Chapter 5 - Arafat
A short bus ride took us to Arafat where you spend the day in repentence. Although these are tent cities set up in the desert hills of Arafat, it was a shock to get there and be walking on grass. Here we have just got off the bus. Mummy is in the center in black.
Youssef enjoying the box breakfast and t he grass. After the haj, the grass is rolled up and taken away, and the desert return.
The umbrellas and the grass was strangely out of place.
Some of the tents were well appointed with seats and couches, but we had opted for a simpler one. Still very plush if you walked out of the camp and saw how everyone else was living. It was a moment to reflect on what you are blessed with and give thanks.
The all important tea pot.
A group picture outside our tent.
The inside of the tent with Dr. Riaz giving us some suggestions on how to use the rest of the day.
Lunch was an extravagant affair where we ate arab style from a common platter with our hands. Arshad, our resident cardiologist told me he could see our arteries clogging as we ate! It was quite delicious nevertheless.
The lunch platters.
After lunch, I wanted to see the surroundings, so me, Zeshan and Aashy slipped out and faked our way past some guards to get to the top of a mountain.
Some of the desert fauna.
On the hillside, people had found a quiet place to sit and reflect.
It was worth it to climb the hill and see exactly what we were a part of. The tents stretched as far as the eye could see.
A Hajji praying on the mountain.
The sea of tents.
The main avenue winding through Arafat.
The hill in the background is where the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)gave his final sermon before Hajj. The spot is marked with a large white obelisk at the top of the hill. Although you are not bound to pray on the hill, yet every foot of it is covered with people.
Mist sprays kept people cool in the heat.
The hillside where the Prophet gave his last sermon. The obelisk is out of the picture.
On the way down from the mountain.
Aashy on the way back to our camp.
Some of the hajjis reading.
A very young Hajji!
Preaying for forgiveness from our sins.
In the evening everyone gathered for a group picture.
Arshad and Ambreen.
